Diver to attempt polar freedives

EDOX watches have gaineda reputation in the realm of extreme sports and this is the reason one of the company’s timepieces will be used by Austrian professional freediver Christian Redl in some of his most challenging dives to date.

Redl recently announced in Bali, Indonesia, his ambition to freedive under the polar ice caps on both ends of the earth.

Freediving, also called apnea, is a form of underwater diving that relies on the diver’s ability to hold his breath until resurfacing, using no breathing apparatus.

The Edox ambassador is scheduled to make his first attempt at the geographic North Pole in March, followed by two other expeditions in the following years to the magnetic North Pole and the magnetic South Pole, both of whichmove over time due to magnetic changes in the Earth’s core.

 

The Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition's case back is specially engraved to mark Redlâ¿TMs North Pole mission.

Redl’s first expedition, which will involve a 10 day hike across 120km of ice before freediving under the polar ice cap into waters at freezing sub-zero temperatures, will make him the first freediver to do so.

Also known as The Iceman, Redl will make his historic freedive under the ice cap equipped with only fins, a mask, a wetsuit and watch.

Although scuba divers have attempted this feat equipped with breathing gear, Redl’s challenge requires greater physical and mental endurance because freedivers need to hold their breath while withstanding the frigid water temperatures, increased pressure at depth.

In conjunction with Redl’s announcement of his missions Edox relaunched Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition time piece, which is a modern take on the original 1965 Edox Hydro Sub.

 

Redl will be using the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition on his attempts.

With only 350 units available worldwide, the watch is now equipped with a moveable orange crown protector to shield the crown from freezing and becoming vulnerable todamage.

These will be important feature for the 38-year-old Redl when he emerges from under the ice caps and the water on him and the watch will instantly freeze into ice.

Similar to its predecessor, the new Hydro Sub is also water resistant to 500m. Each watch Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition is numbered from 001 to 350.

For Redl, who started freediving at the age of 20, an important feature in a diving watch is its water resistance and hardiness.

The watch has a movable crown protector that is connected to the case as a big ring pivoting just under the unidirectional rotating bezel, a feature personally designed by Redl to ensure that the watch is safeguarded from the extreme conditions that he will encounter.

The 49mm diameter watch has an certified automatic Swiss chronometer movement at its heart while the case back is specially engraved to mark Redl’s North Pole mission.

 

To mark its 130th anniversary is also releasing the Les Bémonts. 

The watch is fitted with a metal bracelet with a ratcheting diver’s clasp for extension around a wet suit and a collector’s box housing an additional orange water resistant leather strap and a tool kit to change the bracelet.

Retailing at RM10,100, the watch displays hours, minutes, seconds and the date on a dial with orange and white indices. Its bracelet is made from 316L stainless steel.

Explaining the reason behind his attempt, the world record holder for the deepest apnea dive under ice explained that setting new challenges and achieving them helps keep him motivated.

The Austrian trains five times a week for approximately two to three hours a day doing cardio conditioning through running, swimming and cycling, and also practices diving in the pool and sea in preparation of his mission.

The relaunch of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition also marks the company’s 130th anniversary. To celebrate the occation Edox is also releasing three other commemorative editions of its most influential timepieces — the Edox Geoscope, Edox Delfin and Edox Les Bémonts.

Edox, which means “hour” in ancient Greek, was founded in 1884 by Christian Rüefli-Flury.

The brand is renowned for producing quality hand-assembled performance timepieces for the world sporting champions of the tarmac, ocean and ice.

Five units of the Edox Hydro Sub North Pole Limited Edition will be available for Malaysians and Singaporeans some timethis month.

 

The Delfin is another of the four commemorative editions of Edox's most influential timepieces to be released in conjunction with the company's 130th anniversary. 

The Delfin and Geoscope are already available. The Les Bémonts is expected to be available sometime towards the endSeptember.

For more information go to www.crystaltime.com.sg.